State champs, 7 times over: Inside the school where girls prove they rule

This paid piece is sponsored by Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools.

O’Gorman High School’s gym is lined with state championship plaques.

Proudly displayed in the same color, size and shape, they date back to the school’s first state win in 1968.

But in the past year – on the plaques that make up the bottom rows – one word consistently stands out.

Girls.

Yellow Bug Photography

From March 2021 to March 2022, O’Gorman High School has won eight state championship titles. Seven of those were won by the female athletic teams: track, golf, volleyball, cross country, competitive cheer, gymnastics and most recently basketball.

Fittingly, the latest major victory came during Women’s History Month, a time to highlight achievements of all women, including female athletes.

Yellow Bug Photography

It’s an impact members of these winning teams say they didn’t even know they were making.

“I didn’t really think about it! I mean, I knew we had a lot of state championships, but I didn’t realize they were mostly girls,” said senior Hannah Ronsiek, a starting member of the basketball team, as she sat alongside 10 of her fellow female athletes from the state championship teams.

We spoke with 11 members of the seven O’Gorman teams who make up some of the best female players in the state. Together, their teams have won seven of the past 10 South Dakota High School Activities Association Girls State Championships.

“It’s a good feeling. A lot of times, boys sports get the spotlight, but it’s good to know that we don’t go unnoticed and our hard work is paying off,” added Bergen Reilly, a junior basketball team member, two-time South Dakota Gatorade Player of the Year and nationally recognized volleyball player.

When it comes to sports at any level, female teams often receive noticeably less attention and have fewer fans in attendance at their games. That’s something that O’G’s teams hope is starting to change in South Dakota as their success grows.

“I think it’s already started. We’re already seeing a few more people in the crowd. I think our crowd for basketball might be bigger, but it would be nice to keep going in that direction,” Reilly said.

They say that friendly rivalry serves as another form of motivation. Giggles broke out amongst the players when asked if they had competition with the boys teams, followed by a resounding “Yes!”

“For sure. We always talk about our records with them, like for a while the girls had a better record, but then our record got worse, but we still won! I feel like we had to be very zeroed in on what our goal was,” Ronsiek said.

Yellow Bug Photography

The camaraderie among the athletes is impossible to miss as they share stories about their season. Pride can be seen on their faces when they describe how hard their teammates worked to earn the No. 1 spot. They say being surrounded by a team of girls who are encouraging and supportive helps keep them motivated when working toward that championship title.

“We get so close to each other because we practice together every day, and I feel like we definitely all push each other. Like if someone is down in the gym, everyone else is going to be there to lift them up,” added Maeve Boetel, a junior member of the gymnastics team that took home its first championship since 2005.

That closeness has led to four consecutive state championships for girls golf from 2017-19 and 2021 — the 2020 season was called off for the pandemic — two consecutive girls cross country state championships in 2020 and 2021 and two consecutive volleyball state championships also in those same years. In addition to their titles, O’Gorman has had five female South Dakota Gatorade Players of the Year in the past two years alone.

“The culture at O’Gorman plays a big role. The coaches, teachers and students are all so supportive and have become like family. They set up a foundation for the success of our teams,” said Alea Hardie, current South Dakota Gatorade Player of the Year and a track and cross country team member.

Senior basketball starter Hannah Friedman agreed the winning efforts show “the team chemistry that we have that sets us apart,” she said. “I also think it’s a product of how our coaches believe in us and push us to be our best.”

They have definitely earned their bragging rights, but the girls remain modest when talking about their success. They say spreading a message of female empowerment is an amazing add-on, but their real focus remains on working hard and fighting for the top spot because their opponent is right behind them.

“It’s important that people recognize the success of female athletics at the high school level because it shows the hard work that we put in and what we are truly capable of. I think it also shows younger girls out there that no matter what society may say, you can achieve your dreams if you are willing to put in the work,” Friedman said.

The girls said they hope their achievements inspire other female athletes to fight for more recognition for girls teams throughout South Dakota.

“Don’t be afraid to go for your goals. Don’t be scared. Work hard enough, and your hard work will pay off,” added senior golf team member Lauren Sutcliffe.

As we head into spring, the Lady Knights are expected to be contenders for a few more state titles before the school year is out.

They are excited to see what the future holds for the girls teams in the coming years as the O’Gorman girls sports programs continue to work hard at becoming an athletics powerhouse while remaining role models for the next generation of Lady Knights.

“I think we’ve set up a good foundation. They (the seniors) have established a good momentum for the future,” explained senior competitive cheer member Meredith Rueter, whose team claimed the title after coming in second in 2019 and 2020.

One look at the gym wall filled with plaques is enough to confirm that – with more likely to come, one state title at a time.

If you’re interested in learning more about female athletics at O’Gorman or are looking to be a part of these teams, contact Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools’ admissions coordinator at 605-575-3358 or [email protected].